Curtain rod holder



v I M F V.

INVENTORS. NICHOLAS PUPPO. JOHN CHID HIMO.

ATTORNEY.

N. PUPPO ET AL CURTAIN ROD HOLDER Filed July 25 Nov. 5, 1940.

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 ENT OFFICE CURTAIN ROD HOLDER Nicholas Puppo, Chicago, and John Chidichimo,

Cicero, Ill.

Application July 25, 1938, Serial No. 221,154 4 Claims. (Cl. 248-261) This invention relates to curtain rod holder and more particularly to displaceable curtain rod supports, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a curtain rod supporting bracket that has a displaceable .element for carrying the rod so as to retain such in normal operative position or permit the descent thereof for curtain replacement. 1

The problem of hanging curtains has always proved to be a difficult one for the housewife in that the curtain rods .are elevated appreciably above the normal reach of the average individual. This necessitates the use of a stepladder in the home that is always precarious to most individuals in climbing and retaining themselves balanced in a perchedposition above the normal floor level. Many serious accidents have been occasioned by the requirement of hanging or re-hanging curtains so that the provision of expedients for lowering the curtain rod without resort to a stepladder or otherrequirement to assume an elevated position of support, is deemed to be an important safety device as well as provide for more effective and simplified cur- .tain hanging facilities for elimination of imany of the hazardous curtain hanging requirements of the past. I

One object of the present invention is.to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide an improved curtain rod holder that is displaceable to a level within reach of the average housewife or individual required to hang curtains.

Still another object is to provide an improved curtain holder that is capable of displacement from its normal position of support to render such accessible to an attendant without requiring the use of a stepladder or other expedient for assuming an elevated position.

A further object is to provide a curtain rod holder bracket that has a displaceable curtain rod support which can be retained in its elevated normal curtain hanging position or permitted to descend within the reach of an individual of average stature.

Still a further object is to provide an improved curtain rod holder having improved means for retaining such in its elevated position or permitting its displacement to its lowered position.

A still further object is to provide an improved curtain rod holder thatis displaceable to normal hanging and lowered replacement position to render such easily accessible for curtain replacement. 7

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

In the drawing:

Figure'l is a fragmentary front view in elevation of'a windowcasing showing acurtain rod holder attachment embodying features of the present invention, it beingshowninits lowered displaced position within the reach of an individual of average stature.

Figure 2 is a side View in elevation of the device shown in Figure 1, the window casing being shown in section to' clarify the showing.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front View in elevation of a retaining clip constituting a component element of the structureyshown .in Figures 1 and 2. I

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along-line IVIV of; Figures 1 and 3 whenthe curtain rod holder is in itsupwardly collapsed H normal hanging position.

' Figure 5 is a sectional view. takensubstantially l along line VV of Figure 1. r

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along line VIVI. of Figure .1. I Y

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII-of Figure 1. g

Figure 8 is a fragmentary broken view in elevation of the rod which is used in actuating the retainer clip shown in Figure 3 and illustrated in aligned operative position therewith.

Figure 9 is a plan View of the collapsed device shown in Figure 1, the window casing being shown in broken outline. r Figure. 10 is a front view in elevation of a'modified deviceshowing the type o-f'structure used in conjunction with an unusually wide curtain holder. I

The structure selected for illustration is shown attached tothe usualwindow frame Hl having an opening I l therein for receiving the customary window pane I2. Window curtains are usually substantially-so as to cover the window pane l2 and overlap the window casing Illsoas to provide a decorative covering therefor without appree ciably obstructing the light normally passing therethrough. An-elongated and comparatively thin metallic stripl3 isdisposed horizontally and provided with a plurality of apertures 14 therealong for the reception of fasteners; such as screws l5, serving; as an attaching expedient for the metallic strip l3 above the window pane l2 in a position normally occupied by a curtain rod when properly suspended relative to the casing ID.

The strip I3, is in this instance, provided with confronting pairs of links |6--|'| and |8-|9 that are interconnected as at 20 and 2| so as to render such pivotal for extension and collapsing relative to each other. The lower links |'|-|9 are pivotally connected as at 22 so as to form a substantially diamond-shaped linkage in its displaced position and to permit their collapsing in superposed relation by virtue of the end attachment of the links |6-|8 to the horizontal metallic strip i3 proximate to the center thereof, this being effected by means of pins 23 and 24 that serve to render the links |6-|'| and |8--|9 collapsible relative to each other in a displaceable position of alignment with the metallic strip l3 that is attached to the window casing I0.

In order to carry the curtain rod holder metallic strip 25 corresponding in width with or somewhat wider than the metallic attaching strip |3, it is carried by the links |'|--|9 in the horizontally disposed position for support and displacement relative to the horizontal window casing attaching strip |3. This is accomplished by links 26 and 21 that are pivotally connected to substantially the head portion of the lower links ||-|9 by means of pivotal pins 28 and 29 so as to carry over the clips 30 that are pivotally connected by means of a pin 3| to the extremities of the links 26-2'|, the clips 30 being spaced therefrom by means of a collar 32 provided to laterally offset that permits the curtain rod holder strip 25 to assume a position immediately above the links 26-2'| when collapsed in superposed relation with the links |'|-|9, |6-|8, and the window attaching strip l3.

Similarly threaded clips 3|] are pivotally connected and spaced relative to the lower links |'|-|9 proximate to their point of interconnection 22 so as to support the curtain rod holder strip 25 in a horizontal position in parallel relation with the window attaching strip l3. In order to govern the displacement of the metallic clips 30 that are attached to the lower regions of the links ||l9 between the necessary elements to afford the collapsing and extension of 'the curtain rod holder strip 25 relative to the window attaching strip l3, inwardly directed depressions 33, in this instance four, are stamped or otherwise impressed in the curtain rod supporting strip 25 on both sides of the normal positions of the threaded clips 30.

Consequently, the lower ends of the links |'|-|9 are movable in alignment with the curtain rod holder strip 25 or displaced therebelow as shown in Figure 1 to assume an operative or inoperative position depending upon the requirements of supporting curtains in their normal position or to render them accessible for replacement. So that the lower links |'|-l9 will not be displaced out of alignment with the links 26-2'| and to collapse such in alignment with the curtain rod strip 25, the links ||-|9 are provided with downwardly directed hooks 34 that are stamped or otherwise formed from the material thereof to provide the cut-outs 35 (Figure In consequence thereof, the hooks 34 on the links |'|-|9 actuate the upper edges of the links 262'| when displaced thereover in alignment therewith.

This also insures that the lower curtain rod holder strip will assume a position that is in superposed alignment with the links 26--2'| and ||--|9 when collapsed relative to each other. Similarly, the window casing attaching strip is provided with downwardly depending hooks 34 that are stamped from the material thereof to engage the upper edges of the links |6-|'| to limit their displacement in superposed alignment therewith. It will be apparent, therefore, that the curtain rod holder strip can be displaced upwardly in substantial alignment with the window attaching strip |3 so that the intermediate links |6-|8, |||9, and 26-21 are interposed between the curtain rod holder strip and the window attaching strip l3 collapsed for alignment with each other.

The curtain rod holder strip 35 is preferably provided with normally disposed confronting brackets 36 and 31 welded or otherwise joined to the extremities thereof to support substantially U-shaped curtain rod sockets 38, in this instance two, on each of the brackets 36-31. Curtain supporting rods 39 and 40 may be disposed in the sockets 38 that confront each other on the brackets 36-31 for support in alignment with the strip 25 that is displaceable to a position in alignment with the window attaching strip l3 or may be lowered within easy reach of the individual to effect adjustment, replacement, or the dusting thereof without any requirement to assume a precarious perched position on a stepladder or other elevated supporting platform.

In order to retain the curtain rod strip 25 in normally aligned position with the window attaching strip |3 against accidental descent or displacement so that the interposed links are collapsed relative to each other, a resilient clip 4| is riveted, soldered or Welded to the center of the window attaching strip |3 so as to present a reversely bent extremity 42 having an inwardly directed arcuate terminus 43 that is yieldingly supported by the reversely bent portion 42 of the clip 4|. A complemental clip 44 is mounted for support on the pivot 22 that interconnects the links |'||9. The clip 44 has an arcuate extremity 45 along the upper edge thereof to confront and interconnect the resiliently mounted terminus 43 of the upper clip 4|, thereby effecting interengagement therebetween (Figure 4) and procuring the accidental lowering of the strip 25 with its curtain rods 39-40 supported thereon.

As shown, the lower clip 44 has a tubular depending extremity 46 that is telescopically engageable by the reduced extremity 41 of a releasing rod 48. The releasing rod 48 is positioned with its reduced extremity 41 telescoped within the extremity 46 of the lower clip 44 so as to enable the rotary displacement thereof (see dotted outline in Figure 3) and permit the arcuate terminus 45 thereof to be disposed out of alignment with the arcuate terminus 43 of the upper clip 4|, thereby permitting the lowering of the curtain rod holder strip 25 to a position within easy reach of the housewife or other attendant called upon to dust, remove or replace the curtains supported on the rods 394|l.

It will be apparent, therefore, that a very inexpensive, simple, and practical curtain rod holder has been provided that can be readily displaced to a position within easy reach for mounting or removal of the curtains therefrom and displaced to its normal position above the window pane l2 without requiring the attendant to become perched on an elevated platform in a hazardous position. Where the curtain rods Cal are needed for unusually wide windows ID, or a series of closely adjacent windows, the same structural arrangement would be utilized in conjunction with additional interconnected links 49-58 and 5l52 (Figure that correspond with and are spaced from the links l$l1 and l8'-l9 (Figure 1) described in connection with the previous embodiment.

The interconnected links 49-50 and 5l52 are provided with links 26 and 21" that correspond with the links 26' and 21' interconnected to the lower links l'|'l9' which have been (Figure 10) fully described and illustrated in connection with the previous embodiment (Figure 1). These links carry the threaded extremity clips 36" at their extremities for displacement along the curtain rod holder strip 25' in a manner described in connection with the links 21, I9, 26', and 27 fully described in the previous embodiment (Figure 1). It will be observed, therefore, that the additional interconnected links 4950 and JO-5| merely serve to support an appreciably longer window attaching strip l3 and corresponding curtain rod holder strip 25 that are necessary in connection with unusually wide windows or a battery of adjacent disposed windows while curtain rod holders may be mounted in the manner described supra.

Various changes may be made in the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing 'herein shall be construed as limitations of the invention, its structural concept or embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a displaceable curtain rod support, the combination with an elongated fixed fiat strap for attachment to a window frame, of an elongated movable fiat strap for sustaining a curtain rod, said straps being of comparative thinness relative to their width, comparatively shorter fiat lever means interposed between said elongated fixed and movable fiat straps to enable the compactly aligned or relatively displaced positioning thereof in relation to said elongated fiat straps, means on one of said elongated flat straps in the path of the other of said elongated fiat straps to limit the upward displacement of said movable strap relative to said fixed strap, resilient fastener means on one of said elongated straps, and complemental fastener means on the other of said elongated straps for connecting and disconnecting said complemental resilient fastener to maintain said elongated movable fiat strap in operative aligned relation with said elongated fixed strap and permit relative downward gravitation relative to said elongated fixed strap.

2. In a displaceable curtain rod support, the combination with an elongated fixed fiat strap for attachment to a window frame, of an elongated movable flat strap for sustaining a curtain rod, said straps being of comparative thinness relative to their width, a plurality of pivotally connected fiat means interposed between said elongated fixed movable fiat straps to enable the compactly aligned or relatively displaced positioning thereof for spaced connection along the length of said elongated movable strap, said fiant link means being pivotally connected to said elongated fixed fiat strap and slidably associated with said elongated movable flat strap, means on one of said elongated fiat straps in the path of the other of said elongated flat straps to limit the upward displacement of said movable strap relative to said fixed strap, resilient fastener means pivotally mounted on one of said elongated straps, and complemental fastener means on the other of said elongated straps for connecting and disconnecting said complemental resilient fastener means depending upon its pivotal position to maintain said elongated movable fiat strap in operative aligned relation with said elongated fixed strap and permit relative downward gravitation relative to said elongated fixed strap.

3. In a displaceable curtain rod support, the combination with an elongated fixed fiat strap for attachment to a window frame, of an elongated movable flat strap for sustaining a curtain rod, said straps being of comparative thinness relative to their width, comparatively shorter flat lever means interposed between said elongated fixed and movable fiat straps to enable the compactly aligned or relatively displaced positioning thereof in relation to said elongated flat straps, means on one of said elongated fiat straps in the path of the other of said elongated fiat straps to limit the upward displacement of said movable strap relative to said fixed strap, resilient fastener means on one of said elongated straps, complemental fastener means on the other of said elongated straps interengaging arcuate spring clips on both of said fastener means for connecting and disconnecting said resilient fastener complemental means to maintain said elongated movable fiat strap in operative aligned relation with said elongated fixed strap and permit relative downward gravitation relative to said elongated fixed strap, and flat connected flat means interposed between said elongated fixed and movable flat straps to enable the compactly aligned or relatively displaced positioning thereof for spaced connection along the length of said elongated movable strap, said flat link means being pivotally connected to said elongated fixed fiat strap and slidably associated with said elongated movable fiat strap, means on one of said elongated flat straps in the path of the other of said elongated flat straps to limit the upward displacement of said movable strap relative to said fixed strap, flat resilient fastener means having an arcuate spring clip pivotally mounted on one of said elongated straps, complemental fastener means having an arcuate spring clip on the other of said elongated straps for connecting and disconnecting said resilient fastener complemental means depending upon its pivotal position to maintain said elongated movable flat strap in operative aligned relation with said elongated fixed strap and permit relative downward gravitation relative to said elongated fixed strap, and fiat link means pivotally connected to said elongated fixed flat strap and slidably associated 7 with said elongated movable fiat strap.

NICHOLAS PUPPO. J OHN CHIDICHIMO. 

